The Ultimate List of Flattering Makeup for Redheads

If you’ve glanced around anywhere lately, then you’re well aware that nothing is more in style right now than gorgeous red tresses. Whether you were born with fiery locks or acquired them with a semi-permanent or permanent hair color, the good news is, the latest beauty trends are proving to be the perfect match for you sassy sirens. From bright pouts to peach eyes, makeup looks that complement redheads are popping up left and right these days. Ready to learn how to flatter your ginger mane? Keep reading to learn the best makeup for red hair.

1. CHERRY PUCKER

Talk about bright and bold makeup for red hair! There’s nothing better than pairing red hair with the perfect cherry lipstick. The trick to picking a color that best complements your look is to take your skin tone into consideration, too. If you have a pink undertone to your complexion, go with a blue-based red. If you have yellow undertones, you’re one of the lucky ones—any shade of red lipstick will suit your look! Try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Enamel Red if you have pink tones and the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in Matte-ly In Love if your skin has yellow tones.

Editor’s tip: Worried about your lips flaking? Consider it handled! Simply stock up on the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Face Scrub to keep your pout in shape. Rub a small amount of the scrub onto your lips to slough away dead skin cells. Trust us, your lipstick application will be better than ever.

2. PINK POUT

If anyone has ever told you redheads can’t wear pink, they couldn’t be more wrong. Although you might think these two colors would clash, when paired together in the form of hair and makeup, they can be surprisingly beautiful. Try painting your pout with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Lacquered Strawberry or L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in Matte Mandate to see for yourself.

Really want your pink lips to stand out? Prep them with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip Liner in Best Mattes for a more defined lip shape and lasting lip color.

3. FLAWLESS SKIN

With hair as bright as a fire truck, eyes will naturally be drawn to you—and especially your skin. If your complexion has those pink undertones we mentioned earlier, the redness of your hair may accentuate them and make your face look a little ruddy. That’s where color correcting comes in. These colorful concealers can help counteract colors on your face (think: green for redness, peach for under-eye circles, and so on). After you’re done color correcting, use a lightweight BB cream or buildable foundation to keep things looking natural.

For unwanted redness or pink tones, try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Color Correcting Crayon in Green, followed by the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer and L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte or Pro Glow Foundation.

4. CONTOUR

If you fancy a chiseled face, contour products are the ticket. The trick, however, is to be careful about applying your contour and picking the right shade. To get a sculpted beauty look, select the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Foundation Shaping Sticks in a color that’s two shades darker than your skin tone.

When applying, focus the contour around the edges of your forehead, down the sides of your nose, along the hollows of your cheeks, and just under your bottom lip. This will create shadows that define your face and help the rest of your makeup for red hair pop. When your cheeks sink in—or appear to—your cheekbones (aka your blush and highlighter) will stand out, and the same idea applies to the rest of your makeup.

5. GLOWING HIGHLIGHT

What’s prettier than perfectly strobed cheekbones? Not much in our books! To get the look, simply dab a liquid highlighter across the high points of your cheekbones or use a fan brush to gently swipe a powder highlighter from just above the apple of your cheek up toward your temple. To get your most glazed donut-like glow, try layering the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Crushed Foils Metallic Highlighter over the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Highlighter Shaping Sticks.

6. FLUSHED CHEEKS

When you don’t have time for a full face of makeup, grab your favorite blush and add a pinch of color to your cheeks. And by cheeks, we mean apply from the apples of your cheeks up toward your temples to embrace the draping—aka contouring with blush—trend. Use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Blush Shaping Sticks for quick application, swiping it directly onto your cheeks, then blending out with your fingers.

7. BOLD EYELINER

Redheads look fab in blue and green eyeliner. The bold colors can help instantly brighten up your face and effortlessly complement the rest of your makeup. To get the look in an especially trendy way, use a blue or green eyeliner along your lower lash line for an unexpected pop. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner in Cobalt Blue, True Teal, or Forest Green.

8. PEACH PEEPERS

Peach is the hot eye shadow hue of the summer. To get the look, you can either choose lighter peach shades for a more natural finish or amp it up with darker hues when you want to take the night by storm. Whichever finish you’re going for, the shades in the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette will have you covered. Plus, it smells great—just like fresh fruit!

9. TANTALIZING IN TAUPE

Another eye makeup color that looks particularly stunning on redheads? Taupe. The dark neutral color can be worn in matte and metallic shades for a slightly deeper take on natural-looking makeup. If you want to try wearing metallic taupe eye makeup, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Bronzed Taupe. If you prefer a matte taupe eye makeup look, try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Café Au Lait. Whichever you choose, be sure to use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to really blend out your shadow.

10. BRUNETTE BROWS

The trickiest makeup for redheads tends to be eyebrow makeup. That’s because a lot of eyebrow products do not come in auburn shades. However, the secret to mastering this aspect of makeup for red hair is knowing that you can actually use blonde and brunette shades.

If you have light red hair, try a blonde eyebrow pencil, like the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Mechanical Pencil in Dark Blonde. If you have a darker red mane, give a brunette pencil that’s a little darker than your hair a shot. We love the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Shape & Fill Mechanical Pencil in Brunette.

11. BROWN MASCARA

What’s the perfect mascara color when you have red hair? You’re the lucky person who should be wearing brown mascara! Sweep on a coat or two of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Bold Eye Mascara in Black Brown to enhance your lashes and keep your look natural.

Next up: Now that you have the ultimate redhead makeup routine down pat, make sure your hair color looks as vibrant as possible. Our article, The Redhead’s Guide to Maintaining Beautiful Color, will show you how.